The hottest trend in California: Banning Plastic Straws

Case in point, two cities are cracking down on plastic straws, so much so that giving them out may result in actually spending time in jail.

Of course, one of those cities just happens to be San Francisco, whose city leaders voted unanimously to ban the drinking tool according to KGO-TV:

San Francisco’s board of supervisors voted unanimously to join cities such as Vancouver, Berkeley and Seattle in banning plastic straws.

The legislation proposed by Supervisor Katy Tang not only includes the elimination of plastic straws, but many non-recyclable plastic items like coffee stirrers. It also includes language that would make San Francisco the first city in the country to ban fluorinated chemicals in food containers. Because San Francisco uses 1-million plastic straws a day, the issue took center stage.

Details haven’t emerged yet as to what would happen to anyone in San Francisco should they distribute plastic straws, but Santa Barbara, who is also cracking down on the tubed menace, did make it clear according to National Review:

The bill was passed unanimously last Tuesday, and covers bars, restaurants, and other food-service businesses. Establishments will still be allowed to hand out plastic stirrers, but only if customers request them.

Santa Barbara’s ordinance “is likely the most severe straw ban in the country,” according to Reason, but it’s far from the only straw ban. Seattle banned plastic straws earlier this month, mandating a a $250 fine for violators.